Quick change tooling assembly

Abstract

A quick-change die assembly for a necker machine includes an outer die mounting, an outer die, an outer die quick-release coupling, an inner die mounting, an inner die assembly, and an inner die quick-release coupling. The outer die is coupled to the outer die mounting by the outer die quick-release coupling. The inner die assembly is coupled to the inner die mounting by the inner die quick-release coupling.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A quick-change die assembly for a necker machine comprising:
 an outer die mounting; 
 an outer die; 
 an outer die quick-release coupling; 
 an inner die mounting; 
 an inner die assembly; 
 an inner die quick-release coupling; 
 said outer die coupled to said outer die mounting by said outer die quick-release coupling; 
 said inner die assembly coupled to said inner die mounting by said inner die quick-release coupling; 
 wherein said necker machine includes an inboard turret assembly, said inboard turret assembly including a reciprocating knockout ram assembly, said knockout ram assembly including a body defining a cavity and wherein: 
 said inner die assembly includes a generally toroid die body and a die support; 
 said inner die support including an elongated generally toroid body with a first end and a second end; 
 said inner die support body second end including an annular locking channel; 
 said inner die assembly die support first end including a die body coupling; 
 said inner die assembly die body coupled to said inner die assembly die support body first end; 
 said inner die quick-release coupling including a quick-release mounting assembly; 
 said inner die quick-release mounting assembly disposed in said inboard turret assembly knockout ram assembly body cavity; 
 said inner die mounting coupled to said inner die quick-release mounting assembly; 
 said inner die quick-release mounting assembly includes a base, a ball, a ball lock sleeve, a ball retainer and a number of biasing devices; 
 each said inner die quick-release mounting assembly base including a generally toroid body with an outer surface coupling; 
 each said inner die quick-release mounting assembly ball lock sleeve including a generally toroid body with a first end, a medial portion, and a second end; 
 said inner die quick-release mounting assembly ball lock sleeve body first end including a tapered portion; 
 said inner die quick-release mounting assembly ball lock sleeve body medial portion including an inwardly extending radial lug; 
 said inner die quick-release mounting assembly ball retainer including a generally toroid body with a sleeve body lug slot; 
 each said inner die quick-release mounting assembly base coupled to said knockout ram assembly body with said inner die quick-release mounting assembly base body substantially disposed within an associated knockout ram assembly body cavity; 
 each said inner die quick-release mounting assembly ball lock sleeve body movably disposed within an associated ram assembly housing mounting cavity with said inner die quick-release mounting assembly ball lock sleeve body first end disposed adjacent an associated inner die quick-release mounting assembly base; 
 said inner die quick-release mounting assembly ball lock sleeve body biased to a forward position by an inner die quick-release mounting assembly biasing device; 
 said inner die quick-release mounting assembly ball retainer movably disposed within an associated ram assembly housing mounting cavity and generally within an associated inner die quick-release mounting assembly ball lock sleeve body; 
 each said inner die quick-release mounting assembly ball retainer biased to a forward position by an inner die quick-release mounting assembly biasing device; 
 wherein each inner die quick-release mounting assembly ball lock sleeve body medial portion lug extends through an associated inner die quick-release mounting assembly ball retainer lug slot; 
 each said ram assembly quick-release mounting ball trapped between an associated inner die quick-release mounting assembly base and an associated inner die quick-release mounting assembly ball retainer; and 
 wherein, each said inner die quick-release mounting assembly moves between three configurations, an unengaged first configuration wherein no inner die support body is disposed within said inner die quick-release mounting assembly base, each said inner die quick-release mounting assembly ball lock sleeve body is biased to a forward position relative to an associated inner die quick-release mounting assembly ball retainer, and each said ram assembly quick-release mounting ball is biased toward an inner position, a release configuration wherein each said inner die quick-release mounting assembly ball lock sleeve body is biased to a rearward position relative to an associated inner die quick-release mounting assembly ball retainer, and each said ram assembly quick-release mounting ball is biased toward an outer position, and an engaged second configuration wherein an inner die support body is disposed within said inner die quick-release mounting assembly base, each said inner die quick-release mounting assembly ball lock sleeve body is biased to a forward position relative to an associated inner die quick-release mounting assembly ball retainer, and each said ram assembly quick-release mounting ball is biased toward an inner position wherein each said ram assembly quick-release mounting ball is disposed in an associated inner die support body second end locking channel. 
 
     
     
       2. The quick-change die assembly of  claim 1  wherein:
 said outer die mounting includes a generally planar body with a passage therethrough and a collar disposed about said outer die mounting body passage; 
 said outer die includes a generally toroid body; 
 said outer die quick-release coupling including a reduced actuation coupling; and 
 said outer die body coupled to said outer die mounting collar by said reduced actuation coupling. 
 
     
     
       3. The quick-change die assembly of  claim 2  wherein:
 said outer die mounting collar includes an outwardly, radially extending bayonet pin; 
 said outer die quick-release coupling includes a toroid body with a bayonet pin channel, a bayonet pin channel cutout, and an inwardly, radially extending locking lip; 
 said outer die body includes an outwardly, radially extending annular locking lip; 
 said outer die body locking lip disposed within said outer die quick-release coupling with said outer die quick-release coupling locking lip engaging said outer die body locking lip; 
 said outer die quick-release coupling body disposed about said outer die mounting collar with said outer die mounting collar bayonet pin extending through said outer die quick-release coupling body bayonet pin channel; and 
 wherein said outer die quick-release coupling body moves between an unlocked, first configuration, wherein said outer die quick-release coupling body bayonet pin channel cutout is disposed adjacent said outer die mounting collar bayonet pin, and, a locked, configuration, wherein said outer die body is biased against said outer die mounting collar. 
 
     
     
       4. The quick-change die assembly of  claim 3  wherein:
 said outer die quick-release coupling body is made from a compliant material; and 
 said bayonet pin channel is an obround channel with offset ends. 
 
     
     
       5. The quick-change die assembly of  claim 2  wherein:
 said outer die quick-release coupling includes a toroid body with a number of outwardly radially extending, arced locking members; 
 said outer die quick-release coupling body coupled to said outer die mounting collar; 
 said outer die quick-release coupling body includes a number of inwardly radially extending, arced locking members; and 
 said outer die body disposed within said outer die quick-release coupling body and structured to move between an unlocked first position, wherein said outer die body locking members are not aligned with said outer die quick-release coupling body locking members, and, a locked second position, wherein said outer die body locking members are aligned with said outer die quick-release coupling body locking members. 
 
     
     
       6. The quick-change die assembly of  claim 1  wherein said outer die mounting, said outer die, said outer die quick-release coupling, said inner die mounting, said inner die assembly, and said inner die quick-release coupling, are a unit assembly. 
     
     
       7. A quick-change die assembly for a necker machine comprising:
 an outer die mounting; 
 an outer die; 
 an outer die quick-release coupling; 
 an inner die mounting; 
 an inner die assembly; 
 an inner die quick-release coupling; 
 said outer die coupled to said outer die mounting by said outer die quick-release coupling; 
 said inner die assembly coupled to said inner die mounting by said inner die quick-release coupling; 
 wherein said outer die mounting, said outer die, said outer die quick-release coupling, said inner die mounting, said inner die assembly, and said inner die quick-release coupling, are a unit assembly; 
 wherein said necker machine includes a mounting disk including a body, said mounting disk body includes a number of peripheral, radial cutouts, said mounting disk body radial cutouts include axially extending locking channels, and wherein: 
 said outer die mounting includes a generally planar body structured to correspond to said mounting disk body radial cutouts; 
 wherein said outer die mounting body includes radial surface; 
 said outer die quick-release coupling includes a locking pawl assembly disposed on said outer die mounting body radial surface; 
 said locking pawl assembly including a pivot pin and an elongated pawl body; 
 said locking pawl assembly pawl body including a first end, a medial portion, and a second end; 
 said locking pawl assembly pawl body medial portion defining a pivot pin passage; 
 said locking pawl assembly pawl body first end and said locking pawl assembly pawl body second end structured to engage said mounting disk body locking channels; 
 said locking pawl assembly pawl body rotatably coupled to said locking pawl assembly pivot pin; and 
 wherein, said locking pawl assembly is structured to move between an unlocked, first configuration, wherein said locking pawl assembly pawl body first end and said locking pawl assembly pawl body second end do not engage said mounting disk body locking channels, and, a locked, second configuration wherein said locking pawl assembly pawl body first end and said locking pawl assembly pawl body second end engage said mounting disk body locking channels. 
 
     
     
       8. The quick-change die assembly of  claim 7  wherein said necker machine includes a knockout ram body, said knockout ram body defining a coupling lug, and wherein:
 said inner die assembly includes a die support with an elongated body having a first end and a second end; 
 said inner die assembly die support body first end including a die body coupling; 
 said inner die assembly die body coupled to said inner die assembly die support body second end; 
 said inner die assembly die support body second end including a radial access cavity; and 
 said inner die assembly die support body second end radial access cavity structured to be coupled to said knockout ram body first end coupling lug. 
 
     
     
       9. A necker machine comprising:
 a frame assembly; 
 a forming station coupled to said frame assembly; 
 said forming station including a quick-change die assembly; 
 said quick-change die assembly including an outer die mounting, an outer die, an outer die quick-release coupling, an inner die mounting, an inner die assembly, and an inner die quick-release coupling; 
 said outer die coupled to said outer die mounting by said outer die quick-release coupling; 
 said inner die assembly coupled to said inner die mounting by said inner die quick-release coupling; 
 said forming station includes an inboard turret assembly; 
 said inboard turret assembly including a reciprocating knockout ram assembly; 
 said knockout ram assembly including a body defining a cavity; 
 said inner die assembly includes a generally toroid die body and a die support; 
 said inner die support including an elongated generally toroid body with a first end and a second end; 
 said inner die support body second end including an annular locking channel; 
 said inner die assembly die support first end including a die body coupling; 
 said inner die assembly die body coupled to said inner die assembly die support body first end; 
 said inner die quick-release coupling including a quick-release mounting assembly; 
 said inner die quick-release mounting assembly disposed in said inboard turret assembly knockout ram assembly body cavity; 
 said inner die assembly die mounting body coupled to said inner die quick-release mounting assembly; 
 said inner die quick-release mounting assembly includes a base, a ball, a ball lock sleeve, a ball retainer and a number of biasing devices; 
 each said inner die quick-release mounting assembly base including a generally toroid body with an outer surface coupling; 
 each said inner die quick-release mounting assembly ball lock sleeve including a generally toroid body with a first end, a medial portion, and a second end; 
 said inner die quick-release mounting assembly ball lock sleeve body first end including a tapered portion; 
 said inner die quick-release mounting assembly ball lock sleeve body medial portion including an inwardly extending radial lug; 
 said inner die quick-release mounting assembly ball retainer including a generally toroid body with a sleeve body lug slot; 
 each said inner die quick-release mounting assembly base coupled to said knockout ram assembly body with said inner die quick-release mounting assembly base body substantially disposed within an associated knockout ram assembly body cavity; 
 each said inner die quick-release mounting assembly ball lock sleeve body movably disposed within an associated ram assembly housing mounting cavity with said inner die quick-release mounting assembly ball lock sleeve body first end disposed adjacent an associated inner die quick-release mounting assembly base; 
 said inner die quick-release mounting assembly ball lock sleeve body biased to a forward position by an inner die quick-release mounting assembly biasing device; 
 said inner die quick-release mounting assembly ball retainer movably disposed within an associated ram assembly housing mounting cavity and generally within an associated inner die quick-release mounting assembly ball lock sleeve body; 
 each said inner die quick-release mounting assembly ball retainer biased to a forward position by an inner die quick-release mounting assembly biasing device; 
 wherein each inner die quick-release mounting assembly ball lock sleeve body medial portion lug extends through an associated inner die quick-release mounting assembly ball retainer lug slot; 
 each said ram assembly quick-release mounting ball trapped between an associated inner die quick-release mounting assembly base and an associated inner die quick-release mounting assembly ball retainer; and 
 wherein, each said inner die quick-release mounting assembly moves between three configurations, an unengaged first configuration wherein no inner die support body is disposed within said inner die quick-release mounting assembly base, each said inner die quick-release mounting assembly ball lock sleeve body is biased to a forward position relative to an associated inner die quick-release mounting assembly ball retainer, and each said ram assembly quick-release mounting ball is biased toward an inner position, a release configuration wherein each said inner die quick-release mounting assembly ball lock sleeve body is biased to a rearward position relative to an associated inner die quick-release mounting assembly ball retainer, and each said ram assembly quick-release mounting ball is biased toward an outer position, and an engaged second configuration wherein an inner die support body is disposed within said inner die quick-release mounting assembly base, each said inner die quick-release mounting assembly ball lock sleeve body is biased to a forward position relative to an associated inner die quick-release mounting assembly ball retainer, and each said ram assembly quick-release mounting ball is biased toward an inner position wherein each said ram assembly quick-release mounting ball is disposed in an associated inner die support body second end locking channel. 
 
     
     
       10. The necker machine of  claim 9  wherein:
 said outer die mounting includes a generally planar body with a passage therethrough and a collar disposed about said outer die mounting body passage; 
 said outer die includes a generally toroid body; 
 said outer die quick-release coupling including a reduced actuation coupling; and 
 said outer die body coupled to said outer die mounting collar by said reduced actuation coupling. 
 
     
     
       11. The necker machine of  claim 10  wherein:
 said outer die mounting collar includes an outwardly, radially extending bayonet pin; 
 said outer die quick-release coupling includes a toroid body with a bayonet pin channel, a bayonet pin channel cutout, and an inwardly, radially extending locking lip; 
 said outer die body includes an outwardly, radially extending annular locking lip; 
 said outer die body locking lip disposed within said outer die quick-release coupling with said outer die quick-release coupling locking lip engaging said outer die body locking lip; 
 said outer die quick-release coupling body disposed about said outer die mounting collar with said outer die mounting collar bayonet pin extending through said outer die quick-release coupling body bayonet pin channel; and 
 wherein said outer die quick-release coupling body moves between an unlocked, first configuration, wherein said outer die quick-release coupling body bayonet pin channel cutout is disposed adjacent said outer die mounting collar bayonet pin, and, a locked, configuration, wherein said outer die body is biased against said outer die mounting collar. 
 
     
     
       12. The necker machine of  claim 11  wherein:
 said outer die quick-release coupling body is made from a compliant material; and 
 said bayonet pin channel is an obround channel with offset ends. 
 
     
     
       13. The necker machine of  claim 10  wherein:
 said outer die quick-release coupling includes a toroid body with a number of outwardly radially extending, arced locking members; 
 said outer die quick-release coupling body coupled to said outer die mounting collar; 
 said outer die quick-release coupling body includes a number of inwardly radially extending, arced locking members; and 
 said outer die body disposed within said outer die quick-release coupling body and structured to move between an unlocked first position, wherein said outer die body locking members are not aligned with said outer die quick-release coupling body locking members, and, a locked second position, wherein said outer die body locking members are aligned with said outer die quick-release coupling body locking members. 
 
     
     
       14. The necker machine of  claim 9  wherein said outer die mounting, said outer die, said outer die quick-release coupling, said inner die mounting, said inner die assembly, and said inner die quick-release coupling, are a unit assembly. 
     
     
       15. A necker machine comprising:
 a frame assembly; 
 a forming station coupled to said frame assembly; 
 said forming station including a quick-change die assembly; 
 said quick-change die assembly including an outer die mounting, an outer die, an outer die quick-release coupling, an inner die mounting, an inner die assembly, and an inner die quick-release coupling; 
 said outer die coupled to said outer die mounting by said outer die quick-release coupling; 
 said inner die assembly coupled to said inner die mounting by said inner die quick-release coupling; 
 wherein said outer die mounting, said outer die, said outer die quick-release coupling, said inner die mounting, said inner die assembly, and said inner die quick-release coupling, are a unit assembly; 
 said forming station includes a mounting disk including a body; 
 said mounting disk body includes a number of peripheral, radial cutouts; 
 said mounting disk body radial cutouts include axially extending locking channels; 
 said outer die mounting includes a generally planar body structured to correspond to said mounting disk body radial cutouts; 
 wherein said outer die mounting body includes radial surface; 
 said outer die quick-release coupling includes a locking pawl assembly disposed on said outer die mounting body radial surface; 
 said locking pawl assembly including a pivot pin and an elongated pawl body; 
 said locking pawl assembly pawl body including a first end, a medial portion, and a second end; 
 said locking pawl assembly pawl body medial portion defining a pivot pin passage; 
 said locking pawl assembly pawl body first end and said locking pawl assembly pawl body second end structured to engage said mounting disk body locking channels; 
 said locking pawl assembly pawl body rotatably coupled to said locking pawl assembly pivot pin; and 
 wherein, said locking pawl assembly is structured to move between an unlocked, first configuration, wherein said locking pawl assembly pawl body first end and said locking pawl assembly pawl body second end do not engage said mounting disk body locking channels, and, a locked, second configuration wherein said locking pawl assembly pawl body first end and said locking pawl assembly pawl body second end engage said mounting disk body locking channels. 
 
     
     
       16. The necker machine of  claim 15  wherein:
 said forming station includes a knockout ram body; 
 said knockout ram body defining a coupling lug; 
 said inner die assembly includes a die support with an elongated body having a first end and a second end; 
 said inner die assembly die support body first end including a die body coupling; 
 said inner die assembly die body coupled to said inner die assembly die support body second end; 
 said inner die assembly die support body second end including a radial access cavity; and 
 said inner die assembly die support body second end radial access cavity structured to be coupled to said knockout ram body first end coupling lug.